Interpol’s ‘Silver Notice’ pilot project to trace and recover criminal assets

Interpol introduces Silver Notice to trace criminal assets globally, enhancing international cooperation to combat transnational organized crime.

The Interpol has launched ‘Silver Notice’, the newest addition to the organisation’s list of colour-coded notices and diffusions, as part of a pilot project involving 52 countries and territories. It’s aimed at helping trace and recover criminal assets for combating transnational organised crime through enhanced international police cooperation.

The first-ever notice seeking information on assets related to a key mafia-linked person has been issued on the request of Italy. The pilot project will run at least till November 2025. India is one of the participating countries.

“Through Silver Notices and Diffusions, member countries can request information on assets linked to a person’s criminal activities such as fraud, corruption, drug trafficking, environmental crime and other serious offences. It will facilitate locating, identifying, and obtaining information about laundered assets including properties, vehicles, financial accounts and businesses,” the Interpol said.

Countries can use such inputs for bilateral engagement, including bilateral requests for seizure, confiscation, or recovery of assets, subject to the respective national laws.

“Stripping criminals and their networks of illegal profits is one of the most powerful ways to fight transnational organised crime, especially considering that 99% of criminal assets remain unrecovered. By targeting their financial gains, Interpol is working to disrupt criminal networks and reduce their harmful impact on communities worldwide,” Interpol Secretary General Valdecy Urquiza said in a statement.

The Interpol said in 2023, its 91st General Assembly held in Vienna, Austria had outlined the development and implementation of the Silver Notice and Diffusion pilot through a resolution. The Expert Working Group on Asset Tracing and Recovery, in collaboration with the General Secretariat, was given the task of designing the pilot’s scope, format, conditions, and safeguard measures.

“The General Secretariat will review every Silver Notice and Diffusion for compliance with the Organisation’s rules prior to its publication or circulation. This includes ensuring they are not used for political purposes, in contravention of Article 3 of Interpol’s Constitution. During the pilot phase, extracts of Silver Notices will not be published on Interpol’s website,” it said.